Yard toss game system

ABSTRACT

A yard toss game apparatus and method including multiple game apparatuses and a method of playing a game is provided. The yard game apparatus includes a base, numerous rods or targets which can attach or detach from the base. The method of playing preferably includes each of at least two players strategically tossing their respective piece from one side of the playing area towards the target base on the other side of the playing area. Each player or team of players seeks to gain the most points based upon their respective toss by knocking down the target targets on the other end of the playing surface.

Cross Reference To Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/697,040, filed Jul. 12, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a game system and more particularly to a “toss” game system that includes an object that may be tossed toward a target, the target, and the method of scoring associated therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing toss games like horseshoes, cornhole, and washers generally involve tossing an object toward a target. The games include a wide range of apparatuses that serve as throwable objects or targets, and a multitude of scoring methods. Such yard toss games have been popular for generations and have been made in many different sizes and configurations. Yard toss games are often played on large playing fields that include a launch area on a first end of a field where a player may stand to launch or toss a throwable object, and a second, opposite end where a target may be placed. Other playing fields are smaller and may be on an arcade game table or on a portable apparatus for home use. Still other toss games have utilized electronic systems and a virtual playing field. The purpose of the game is often to strike the target with the tossed object or otherwise toss the object into a particular position relative to the target.

One downside of existing games is that they are not easily portable or easy to be broken down for travel. The game's tossing objects and/or targets are heavy and bulky. Thus there is a need for a simple game that is easily portable and packable but provides a high degree of enjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention offers a novel yard toss game system and method offering improved portability and enjoyment over existing game systems. In the game, a player may wield a tossable object that he or she may throw toward a target apparatus including multiple targets. A player's score is determined by the number of targets which are knocked off a base on an opposite end of the playing field from where the participant tossing the object is standing.

In one exemplary embodiment, the target apparatus of the yard toss game system includes a base that supports the multiple targets of the target apparatus. The targets may be releasably engaged in an upright position on a top portion of the base. The placement of the targets may be determined by the associated base, in that the base may include pre-defined structure for receiving and engaging the targets. In one embodiment, the playing field, or surface, is determined by the players at the time of play. They do so by creating an equidistant space between two apparatuses toward which each team may toss the throwable object. Each throwable object may be tossed underhand from behind a front-most edge of the base on one end of the playing surface towards the other base and associated targets at the other end of the field or playing surface.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of playing is applied to the game with throwable objects tossed strategically from each end of the playing field. The objective of each player or adversarial team is to gain the most points by knocking down targets more effectively than the opponent or adversarial team.

These aspects are merely illustrative of the enumerable aspects associated with the present invention and should not be deemed as limiting in any manner. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description when taken in conjunction with the referenced drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like or similar parts in the various views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a yard toss game apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the yard toss game apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the yard toss game apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the yard toss game apparatus of FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of one method of playing the present yard toss game of FIGS. 1-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the discussion that follows and also with respect to the drawings, illustrative approaches to the disclosed systems and methods are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent possible approaches, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Further, the descriptions set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the present invention to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.

A single game apparatus 5 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 in various views. As illustrated in FIG. 5 (and described below), two apparatuses 5 may be employed when a game contemplated herein is played. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 5 includes a base 10 including base attachment members 15 to which targets 20 may be attached, each by a target attachment member 25.

In one embodiment, the base 10 may be triangular in shape, though in alternative embodiments, a nearly limitless number of shapes may be provided for the base 10. The base 10 may be made out of various materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal. The base 10 includes a lower face 30 and an upper face 35. When the base 10 is orientated for gameplay, the lower face 30 is preferably adjacent to a supporting surface such as grass or concrete (not shown) on which the base 10 is placed. The upper face 35 preferably includes the base attachment members 15 to which the targets 20 may be selectively engaged. However, in alternative embodiments, the upper face 35 of the base 10 may not include base attachment members 15, but the base 10 and targets 20 may still selectively engage one another, as will be described in greater detail herein below.

Each target 20 preferably includes a base surface 40 with a sidewall 45 projecting away and upwardly from the base surface 40. The target 20 may further include a top surface 50 positioned on the opposite end of the target 20 from the base surface 40. In one embodiment, the target 20 may be formed as a dowel, but the target 20 may take on other shapes in other embodiments (e.g., a cone, rectangular prism, or triangular prism).

In one embodiment, each base 10 preferably includes at least one base attachment member 15 coupled to the upper face 35. The three base attachment members 15 may be attached to the base 10 such that they are spaced apart from one another, though more or fewer attachment members 15 are foreseeable. At least one base attachment member 15 may be attached to the base 10 through screws, nails, adhesives, or other methods known in the art. In alternative embodiments, the base attachment member 15 may be formed integrally with the base 10, as for example, a recess in the base 10. Each base attachment member 15 may be placed and attached to the upper face 35 of the base 10 depending on a desired placement and arrangement of the targets 20. In still yet another embodiment, the base 10 may not include base attachment members 15 as described above, but the entire upper face 35 (or the base 10 itself) may be the base attachment member 15.

Turning to the target 20, each target 20 preferably includes an attachment member 25 attached to its base surface 40. The target attachment members 25 may selectively engage with the base attachment members 15 (or the base 10 itself in other embodiments) when the apparatus 5 is assembled. When assembled, the base attachment members 15 and the target attachment members 25 preferably hold the targets 20 in an upright position adjacent and relative to the upper face 35 of the base 10. In some embodiments, the upper surface 50 of the target 20 may also include a target attachment member 25 so that the target 20 may be selectively attachable with the base 10 by either of the upper face 50 or the base surface 40.

The base attachment members 15 and target attachment members 25 are preferably magnets that are attracted to one another, but could also be hook and loop fasteners (or other foreseeable selectively engageable fastener mechanisms) in other embodiments. In one embodiment, the upper face 35 of the base 10 may be a magnetic material capable of engaging the target attachment member 25. Thus, the base 10 may not include base attachment members 15, but the target 20 is still able to selectively engage the base 10.

In the preferred embodiment, magnetic force may assist in keeping the targets 20 upright. More particularly, the target attachment member 25 on a target base surface 40 is adjacent and abuts the base attachment member 15 on the base 10 (or the base 10 itself depending on the material of the base 10) when a target 20 is placed on the base 10. The base 10 should be constructed of a material durable enough to withstand the weight of the targets 20.

The apparatus 5 may be inexpensively mass produced in a home version for personal enjoyment, family leisure, and for friendly and quality time for people from all cultures and walks of life. Alternatively, it may be manufactured from high quality and durable materials for more upscale users. It may be manufactured in a heavier and more rugged version where appropriate. It may be manufactured or ornamented in limited collector editions incorporating on its various surfaces advertisement, information, logos, family portraits, sports images, movie stars, famous places, flags of different clubs or nations, or sports teams.

Turning to FIG. 5, the present apparatus 5 may be used to play a game with at least two people. In one embodiment, the yard toss game apparatus system may include a throwable object 55 and two game apparatuses 5, each of which includes: (1) a base 10; (2) at least one target 20; (3) at least one target attachment member 25 (shown in FIGS. 4); and (4) optionally, at least one base attachment member 15 (shown in FIG. 4). The throwable object 55 may be a ball, Frisbee, or any other object that can be thrown to knock the targets over when the target attachment members 25 and base attachment members 15 disengage each other.

In games with two people (one on one), players 60 may stand on opposite sides of the playing area. In games with three or more people, the players may be divided into evenly split (or as close to evenly split as possible) teams. Each team stands on opposite sides of the playing area. For amateurs, the playing field may be 25 feet, while the playing field may be 30 feet for professionals. The length of the playing field may be different and adjusted according to the desires of the players. In embodiments where there are at least two throwable objects 55, each throwable object 55 is shared amongst the teams and can be tossed from one side of the playing field to the other side of the playing field.

When using the apparatuses 5 to play the game, the rules of the game are as follows. A player 60 may stand anywhere behind the base 10 or directly to the side of the base 10 during his or her turn. The player 60 may toss the throwable object 55 towards the targets 20 on the other team's base 10, while maintaining a stride that does not go beyond the front portion of the base 10. Players may toss two throwable objects 55 per round towards the base 10 of the opposing side, one throwable object 55 at a time, attempting to knock down as many targets 20 as possible. As a non-limiting example alternative embodiment, only one throwable object 55 may be tossed per each player 60 when playing two on two, or other team play.

In an example embodiment, the throwable object 55 may be thrown through the air, reaching a minimum arch or height to be defined and agreed upon by players from both teams prior to the start of the game and hit the ground at least once prior to making contact with the targets 20. If the throw does not meet those requirements, the throw may result in zero points, and any fallen targets 20 will not be replaced for the second toss.

In such an embodiment, any targets 20 knocked down during a qualifying toss will result in 1 point each. All three targets 20 falling during a single toss will be considered a “KNOCK” and result in a bonus of 2 points, for a total of 5 points. The targets 20 may be replaced if a first toss results in a “KNOCK,” allowing the second toss to score more points. This game will continue with players throwing the two throwable objects 55 back and forth until one team reaches EXACTLY 21 points. All points scored in a round exceeding 21 points will be subtracted from the previous point total.

In general, with regard to the processes, systems, methods, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claimed invention.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined as broad as possible with reference to the above description, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such disclosure is entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation.

All defined terms used in the application are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions consistent with the definitions provided herein. All undefined terms used in the disclosure are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions consistent with their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a” “the” “said” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. 

1. A game apparatus comprising: a base including a bottom base face and a top base face, wherein the bottom base face is adjacent to and abutting a supporting surface, and the top base face includes at least one base attachment member; at least one target, the at least one target including a target top surface and a target bottom surface, wherein each target bottom surface of an at least one target includes at least one target attachment member; and wherein the at least one base attachment member of the base is selectively engageable with each at least one target attachment member of the target such that each target is selectively engageable with the base.
 2. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein each at least one target further includes at least one target attachment member located on the target top surface.
 3. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is triangle-shaped and includes three base attachment members, each at a point on the triangle-shaped base.
 4. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein each at least one target is a dowel.
 5. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is made out of a magnetic material and the target attachment members are magnets, the base and target attachment members capable of selectively engaging each other.
 6. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base attachment members and the target attachment members are hook and loop fasteners.
 7. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of base attachment members are equidistant from one another.
 8. A game system for recreational use, the game system comprising: a game apparatus, the game apparatus comprising: at least one target, each of the at least one targets including a target base surface at a lower end; and at least one target attachment member, the at least one target attachment member being located and positioned adjacent to the target base surface; a base including at least one base attachment member, wherein the at least one target attachment member is selectively engageable with the at least one base attachment member; and a throwable object that may be thrown by a player toward an at least one target, and wherein the base attachment member and the target attachment member are able to disengage from each other when struck by the throwable object.
 9. The game system of claim 8 wherein each at least one target further includes at least one target attachment member located on a top surface of the target.
 10. The game system of claim 8 wherein each at least one target is a dowel.
 11. The game system of claim 8 wherein the base is triangular with three base attachment members.
 12. The game system of claim 8 wherein the base attachment members and target attachment members are magnets.
 13. The game system of claim 8 wherein the base attachment members and target attachment members are hook and loop fasteners.
 14. The game system of claim 8 wherein the game system includes a second game apparatus.
 15. A game system comprising: at least two game apparatuses, each game apparatus comprising: at least one target, each of the at least one target including: a target base surface and a target top surface; at least one target attachment member being located and positioned adjacent to the target base surface; a base including at least one base attachment member; wherein the at least one target attachment member is selectively engageable with an at least one base attachment member; at least one throwable object; and wherein the at least one throwable object may be thrown to knock the at least one target over.
 16. The game system of claim 15 wherein the base attachment members and target attachment members are hook and loop fasteners.
 17. The game system of claim 15 wherein the base attachment members and target attachment members are magnets.
 18. The game system of claim 15 wherein the game systems include two throwable objects.
 19. The game system of claim 15 wherein the targets are dowels.
 20. The game system of claim 15 wherein the throwable object is a ball. 